Cancer Support Thread 84 - gently crunching our way into autumn

[mowly77]

New thread as old one about to be full. As those who have been around far longer than me have said: Welcome. Pull up a chair, help yourself to a biscuit, a large gin, or a detox tea. Or all three. This is a supportive thread for anyone with cancer to discuss how things are going, ask for advice etc., vent, scream, or discuss life in general.

Please feel free to join for support if you are going through tests as well, hopefully they will come back all clear, but if not we are here to hold your hand through the journey.

@Silkierabbit lovely photos. I'll imagine I'm on such a beach. However, sorry to hear about your DS. Sounds very tough.
@TopOfTheCliff I used to get aches with Paclitaxel which lasted no more than a couple of days. I'd have weekly chemo on the Friday, they'd start Sunday evening or Monday, OK for two days then off we went again. It didn't make me as tired as EC (which wiped me out)and I didn't need any anti sickness tablets. I got slightly dry and itchy skin with it too so kept it well moisturised. This settled down after 2 or 3.

Hope everyone is having an OK evening.

I wanted to pop back to say thank you all for being kind when I posted about waiting for my MDT for uterine sarcoma

Im very lucky in that the MDT don’t think it’s a sarcoma just a fibroid. Which is great. Won’t know for 100% until I have it removed and biopsied. Again am very lucky as have private insurance through work so will have a hysterectomy before Christmas ( as I’d now been judged low risk would have been minimum 6 months on NHS) as think I won’t totally relax until I have the biopsy results.

Hope everyone is having peaceful evenings

I had my groin biopsy thus morning it wasnt great but not painful, he took four samples and they go off to Kings college. He said hes seem hundreds of lymphomas before and he hopes it is that. Christ I dont know how I got here its only been three weeks today. And no biopsy results for ten days at least yet every hcp has implied it is something concerning. I dont know if its because they know Im a nurse but theres been no beating around the bush which I like.

I am eating like a horse, I went to my local Jewish deli today and spent £38 on several different types of bread and apple strudel and proper cheesecake😂😂

Mmm - I used to work near a Jewish cafe that did amazing cheesecake. I haven't had it for years and now I'm sort of craving some - must be a sign I'm getting my appetite back. Glad your biopsy went at least OK @EachandEveryone . Wishing everyone peaceful weekends.

@EachandEveryone @dotty2 oh wow. These Jewish delis sound great. I'm in hospital after having emergency surgery on my back. I have been diagnosed with breast cancer thst has spread to my spine and breastbone. Tripe positive and that's all I know so far as they have been busy ensuring my spine is ok.

Been in since Monday bit had surgery Weds and am definitely feeling the benefit though still on bedrest.

The food is OK and a nice nurse brings me a 6.30 cuppa as I am awake then which makes me very happy.

I have realised though as I am in North London I won't be too far away from some Jewish delis and this has really cheered me up. Hit me with recommendations please. My mother in law is desperate to bring me things so I can set her a challenge! 🤣

Amy tips on how not to lose perspective whilst on a long hospital stay? I'm at a specialist hospital for spines so not with my oncology team and my next steps are a bit unclear. But I am preparing for a longish stay somewhere as there's been talk of rehab and chemo happening together. But I might be assuming that means as an inpatient and it doesn't?

I'm going to have a massive scar down my back and thinking about tattoos for a later date. Anyone else done any inking as a result of treatment?

Am I hogging a thread and shd start a new one? I don't want to lose you lovely ladies

Hope people's pain and worries are easing. I know some have had good news - yey! Thinking of you all

Xxx

@Ridingladybugs so glad to hear they think it’s not suspicious!

@HardyHarvey of course you’re not hogging the thread! I have no useful advice as our situations are very different but it’s great news that your spine is feeling better already. Do you have a meeting with your oncologist planned? It must be quite isolating being in the spinal centre when your problems are cancer caused!

I had chemo 5/6 this week. Can’t wait to get the last one over with bit already dreading the post treatment scan!

@HardyHarvey this thread has room for everybody. Sometimes we have lots to post and sometimes we just lurk. When the steroids hit we ramble on and on! Are you far from home? I had an eight week stay at the RNOH at Stanmore thirty years ago after a bad car crash. It was very strange and I got institutionalised very quickly. The food was the best thing. Hope you get well fed.

@AGreatUsername I am counting down now, three doses from eight left to go. I can’t believe it’s nearly over. No scan for me as it won’t change anything my oncologist says.

Regards to all
Top

I'm here as BloodyBridget's friend to say she has gone. She asked me to put it on here. B was a wonderful true friend, deeply loved by so many, and I know she will have been as supportive, thoughtful and funny on these threads as she was in her life. She managed to get home from hospital and have several days in her own lovely house, making plans and seeing friends; then she went to our local hospice, where she died peacefully with wonderful nursing and with her partner by her. Thank you all who supported and entertained her, and so many good wishes for the journey no-one wants to be on.

Thank you for updating us @chyra

Im deeply saddened by Bridget’s passing, but glad she was able to get home briefly. RIP Bridget, fly high.

@chyra
thank you for letting us know.
such sad news.
I have no words. Sending love
💔💔

@chyra That is sad news indeed. Bridget was a good friend to us all. Please pass on my condolences to her partner. I shall think of her when I am in Norfolk as she did love it there.

I am still crippled by the Paclitaxel. Little men with ice picks are attacking my joints day and night and I am writhing in agony. But it will pass 🙄
It better be worth it!

Regards to all
Top

@TopOfTheCliff I get the same with the taxol (I’m on Abraxane now but it’s the same drug in different clothing). Red hot sharp shots of pain through my lower back, hips, knees. Horrible stuff.

@chyra Im glad she made it home in the end and thank you for letting us know. It reads like she just decided to up and go... somewhere else for a while to do something else and see others who may have already passed on. Its lovely to read she had a good passing.

@chyra Thanks for updating us. Bridget gave so much comfort to many on here and her wit,wisdom and compassion will be missed.
I'm glad that she got to spend sometime at home. Much love to Bridgets family and friends xxx

@Topofthecliff I struggled with pains in my limbs during treatment with Paclitaxel. When I was able I found movement helped obviously thats dependent on energy levels but a small stroll helped as ( I realise I may be preaching to the converted as you are rarely still!) Xx

I'll so sorry, it's bloody rubbish. Rest in peace lovely Bridget. ❤️❤️❤️

@chyra Thanks for posting. I was thinking about Bridget recently - hoping she did get home & got to see some of the glorious autumn colours. As others have said, do let her partner know how much she was appreciated on here. Despite the reason for the thread, it's often said it's lovely, kind & supportive thread - Bridget's post definitely helped make it so.

I thought I'd update in case it's helpful to those at an earlier stage. I'm almost three weeks post lumpectomy/sentinel lobe biopsy, I had my consultant follow up a few days ago and the biopsy was clear, so no more surgery. I'm being referred to a different hospital for radiotherapy in a few weeks time and I've had a blood test to determine the most appropriate hormone blocker. I'm still off work, the consultant more or less insisted I stay off until after radiotherapy, which makes more sense than going back to be off again.

I'm still numb in part of my breast, armpit and arm, but it's slowly coming back, lots of nerve pains in my arm, up into my neck and across my breast, so still taking painkillers but trying to reduce them.

All very positive though, I was very lucky to be randomly called for an early mammogram and I've been very well looked after.

@chyra Thank you for posting, Bridget will be missed by many including me. I hope her partner is well supported at this difficult time.

Today is a difficult day, it’s my second anniversary of my first cancer diagnosis. Number 2 came along 11 days later. I’ve recently had a PET scan and there is something on my hip. We’re trying to figure out what it is but as world’s unluckiest patient, I know how to prepare.

@chyra so sorry to hear of your dear friend Bridget. She was so kind to me and all the ladies on here. Sending love to you, her partner and family Xxx.

@MrsPnut so sorry to read your update and really hoping it's something that can be easily sorted for you. Sorry you've had a difficult day, anniversaries are hard and bring it all back.

chyra sending love to you and Bridget's family. She was so kind and welcoming on this group - always responding to everyone with humour, wit and compassion ❤️

Chyra So sorry to hear of the loss of Bridget and sending love to all who were close to her. Glad she was surrounded by love in her final days.

@MrsMontyD It sounds like I'm a few weeks further along the path than you are. Went for my CT planning scan for radiotherapy last week, and they couldn't do it because of a hematoma. Fingers crossed, it can go ahead in a couple of weeks. I've been lucky, just need this and Letrozole, but keen to get it out of the way. I hope you continue to progress well, and that it won't be long before this is behind you.

I see some of the things people are going through on this thread, and feel a fraud. I wish everyone well.

I didn't know Bridget, but from what people have said on here, she was an amazing woman. RIP.

I'm not looking forward to the CT scan, I think I've got at least 3 weeks before that, the wound on my breast has only just started to heal over and there's still a lot of swelling.

I'm hoping to find some energy and motivation this week to start getting something productive done around the house while I'm off work. I had plans to knit some Christmas presents and haven't even looked at the patterns.